Parent's Lounge
Break tha Cycle's Advocacy Service
Parent Lounge is our advocacy service for parents and carers who may find it difficult to navigate certain processes or access the right support. We support parents to understand information from professionals, explore their options, express their views, and make informed decisions that are best for them and their family.
Our aim is to support, advocate for, and equip parents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to take charge of their own lives and feel confident in supporting their children.
Our Advocacy Service
Our advocacy service helps parents and carers to have their voices heard, understand their rights, and feel genuinely included in decisions that affect them and their children.
We can support parents to:
- Understand information shared by professionals
- Make informed decisions that are best for them and their family
- Access information, advice, and guidance
- Explore choices and options around services and care
- Express their views, thoughts, and concerns clearly
- Source a solicitor if they are unable to do so themselves
Through advocacy, we aim to ensure that parents’ views and wishes are genuinely considered when decisions are being made about them and their children’s lives.
Support we Provide
Our Parent Lounge Advocacy Service provides practical and emotional support for parents and carers who need help navigating important processes.
We can support with:
- Completing forms and applications, including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Blue Badge applications
- Sending emails or making phone calls on your behalf, where appropriate
- School-related issues, including exclusions, arranging or attending meetings, and support around Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Some housing-related issues, depending on your circumstances. We would need to understand the full context of your situation before deciding whether we are able to take on the case
- Providing a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space where you can talk through your concerns
Parent Lounge is here to help parents feel supported, listened to, and empowered.
The Process
Parents can self-refer through our website, or a referral can be made by an Early Help worker, social worker, or another statutory or charitable professional involved with the family.
Once we receive a referral, we will complete an initial assessment and contact you to offer an appointment.
During your appointment, we will talk through your situation, complete a full needs assessment, and work with you to create an action plan. This helps us agree the next steps and track your progress.
If we are unable to support you, we will signpost you to relevant services that may be better placed to help.
Please note that we can only deal with one matter at a time, and some matters may take several sessions due to our limited resources.
Advocates are not counsellors, support workers, befrienders, or legal advisers. We do not provide counselling, legal advice or legal support.
Appointments and Availability
Parent Lounge is a free and confidential service for parents and carers.
This service is currently unfunded, so availability is limited. Parent Lounge runs by appointment only every Tuesday during term time, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, at Walthamstow Family Hub.
Appointments last for one hour. Please arrive on time so that you can make full use of your session.
If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, your appointment will be cancelled.
Because this is a limited service, we must keep to appointment times so that we can support as many parents and carers as possible.
What our parents say...
Queens Road Family Hub, 215 Queens Road, London E17 8PJ
